A warm, sharply written family sitcom that also works as a gentle generational comedy about the Reagan-era culture clash between ex-hippies and their conservative kids. It is especially worth it for Michael… Read more
Family Ties
Where to watch: Buy
TV Show · Comedy · Drama
Wed
Created by: Gary David Goldberg
Starring: Meredith Baxter, Michael Gross, Michael J. Fox
Overview
Former 1960s flower children Steven and Elyse Keaton raise their conservative son Alex, daughters Mallory and Jennifer, and later, youngest child Andrew.
Created by
Gary David Goldberg
Cast
Meredith Baxter, Michael Gross, Michael J. Fox, Justine Bateman, Tina Yothers, Brian Bonsall
Curator Review
Verdict
A warm, sharply written family sitcom that also works as a gentle generational comedy about the Reagan-era culture clash between ex-hippies and their conservative kids. It is especially worth it for Michael J. Fox’s breakout performance and the show’s mix of heart, politics, and broad accessibility.
Best for
Fans of classic network sitcoms with a little bite
Viewers who like family comedies with real character growth
People interested in 1980s TV and generational humor
Fans of early Michael J. Fox
Skip if
You want fast-paced modern comedy
You prefer single-concept sitcoms without sentimental family arcs
You dislike 1980s network-TV pacing and traditional multi-camera style
Overview
Family Ties is one of the defining family sitcoms of the 1980s, built on a simple but durable premise: former radicals Steven and Elyse Keaton trying to understand their conservative, ambitious son Alex while raising two more easygoing daughters. The show gets a lot of mileage out of that clash, but it stays appealing because it never reduces the family to a political joke; the characters are affectionate, recognizable, and allowed to evolve.
Worth noting
Its biggest asset is Michael J. Fox, whose Alex P. Keaton became an instant TV icon. The series is at its best when it balances Alex’s comic self-importance with the warmth of the Keaton household, and it often lands surprisingly well on issues of ambition, parenting, and changing values. The tone is lighter than a true dramedy, but there’s enough emotional grounding to keep it from feeling disposable.
Bottom line
The show remains consistently enjoyable across its run, though like many long-running network comedies, it is most essential in its earlier and middle seasons when the ensemble chemistry is freshest. It’s an easy recommendation for viewers who appreciate classic sitcom craft, family dynamics, and a little period-specific cultural texture without the show becoming overly dated or preachy.